An ion M2– contains 10 electrons and 10 neutrons. What are the atomic number and mass number of the element M? Name the element.

Number of electrons in M2- ion = 10

Number of neutrons = 10


Number of electrons in M atom = 10 – 20 = 8 electrons


Number of protons = atomic number = 8


Mass number of the element = 8 + 10 = 18u


The element is Oxygen and the ion is O2- oxide ion.


18